Dual input AC/DC power converter having a programmable peripheral power hub module

ABSTRACT

A peripheral power hub (PPH) ( 44 ) providing power to a plurality of outputs ( 46 ). The PPH provides multiple predetermined DC voltages which may be converted by an associated voltage converter circuit ( 28 ) to provide the power requirements to an associated mobile device ( 72 ). Alternatively, the voltage converter circuits ( 28 ) may be internal to the PPH. A programmable Ac/Dc converter ( 42 ) may provide a DC voltage to the PPH, which may be configured as an an accessory while powering another mobile device, such as a laptop computer ( 50 ). The voltage converter circuits ( 28 ) may be buck circuits or boost circuits depending on the application.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority from and is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/225,933filed Aug. 22, 2002 which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/159,910 filed May 31, 2002, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/005,961filed Dec. 3, 2001, and also is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/072,074 filed Feb. 8, 2002, the teachings ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention generally relates to the field of powerconverters, and more particularly to dual AC/DC input-to-DC output powerconverters.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] As the use of mobile electronic products continues to increase,such as PC notebooks, PDAs, cellular telephones, MP3 players and thelike, the need for low cost, compact power supplies and solutions topower and recharge these products also continues to increase. Mostmanufacturers of mobile products typically provide plug-in poweradapters along with these mobile products to help provide the powersupply needs of their customers.

[0004] Today's power adapters are typically AC-to-DC, or DC-to-DC powerconverters which are configured to convert an AC voltage to a DCvoltage, or step-up or step-down the DC voltage input delivered to themobile device. With AC-to-DC adapters, for example, users can power mostmobile devices by simply plugging the adapter into a standard AC walloutlet commonly found in most homes and offices. Similarly, when only DCinput power is available, such as in an automobile or airplane, userscan still power their mobile devices by simply using a standard,off-the-shelf DC-to-DC adapter, such as with a cigarette lighterconnector. Normally, both adapters are designed and tailored to providea regulated DC output voltage, which voltage typically ranges frombetween 5 VDC to 30 VDC depending on the power requirements of mobiledevice being powered.

[0005] Although these power adapters conveniently provide direct powerand recharging capabilities, users are often required to carry separateadapters to provide power to each individual mobile device. This oftenmeans that users have to carry multiple adapters for each device: onefor an AC input power source, and another for a DC input power source.Moreover, users with multiple devices are typically required to carrymultiple adapters to power all the multiple devices, thereby increasingthe amount of bulk a user is required to carry, which is also tedious.

[0006] Accordingly, there exists a need for a power converter and systemthat resolves the system power management problems associated withcarrying all of the different power supply components necessary to powera wide variety of mobile and portable devices having different powerrequirements. Moreover, there is a need for a power converter and systemthat has the ability of simultaneously providing power to multiplemobile devices having varying power requirements, regardless of whetherthe available input voltage to the converter is AC or DC.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention achieves technical advantages as aprogrammable peripheral power hub (PPH) supplying multiple programmableDC voltages adapted to power a plurality of portable devices, eachhaving their own DC voltage and power requirement. The PPH resolves thepower management problems of providing power to multiple mobile deviceseach having different power requirements, including different inputvoltage requirements.

[0008] In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the PPH receives aDC input voltage, and provides a predetermined DC output voltage to eachof a plurality of output ports. A power cord with an associated buckcircuit may be selectively coupled to one of these output ports toprovide a programmable DC voltage to an associated mobile device.Different power cords/buck circuits are utilized to provide the requiredpower requirements of the portable device.

[0009] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the PPHincludes a plurality of programmable buck circuits, one associated witheach output port. Each buck circuit provides a programmable DC voltagevia the associated output port to meet the power requirements of anassociated remote mobile device. Selectively interchangeable keys areutilized to establish the output voltage, such as a resistor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Advantages of the invention and the specific embodiments will beunderstood by those of ordinary skill in the art by reference to thefollowing detailed description of preferred embodiments taken inconjunction with the drawings, in which:

[0011]FIG. 1A shows a block diagram of a dual input AC and DC powerconverter having dual DC voltage outputs in accordance with the presentinvention;

[0012]FIG. 1B shows an exploded view of the converter with thedetachable buck circuit;

[0013]FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of the power converter circuit asillustrated in FIG. 1 in accordance with the present invention;

[0014]FIG. 3 shows a detailed schematic diagram of a DC-to-DC buckconverter circuit in accordance with the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a power converter system includinga power converter adapted to receive both an AC and DC voltage input,and a peripheral power hub (PPH) according to the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 5 is an electrical block diagram of one preferred embodimentof the PPH shown in FIG. 4, where each of the outputs of the PPH areconnectable to an associated selectively attachable buck circuitproviding a selectable voltage to an associated remote device; and

[0017]FIG. 6 is an electrical block diagram of another preferredembodiment whereby the PPH includes a plurality of programmable buckcircuits, each having a selectively removable programming device, shownas a resister R1, whereby each remote mobile device can be directlycoupled to a PPH output as shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0018] The numerous innovative teachings of the present applicationswill be described with particular reference to the presently preferredexemplary embodiments. However, it should be understood that this classof embodiments provides only a few examples of the many advantageoususes and innovative teachings herein. In general, statements made in thespecification of the present application do not necessarily delimit anyof the various claimed inventions. Moreover, some statements may applyto some inventive features, but not to others.

[0019] There is shown in FIG. 1A a block diagram of a dual input AC/DCpower converter 10 having dual programmable DC voltage outputs inaccordance with the present invention. Preferably, the dual input AC/DCpower converter 10 comprises a power converter circuit 20 having anAC-to-DC converter 22, a DC-to-DC booster converter 24, a feedbackcircuit 26, a filter circuit 25 and a DC-to-DC buck converter 28. Thepower converter circuit 20 is seen housed in housing 13 andadvantageously provides a first programmable DC output voltage at DCoutput terminal 16 and a second programmable DC output voltage atterminal 18. Both of these DC output voltages may be generated as afunction of both AC and DC input voltages.

[0020] In operation, the AC-to-DC converter 22 receives an AC signal viainput terminal 12 and provides a regulated DC output voltage at node N1.Similarly, the DC-to-DC booster converter 24 may receive a DC inputvoltage at its input via input terminal 14 and may also provide aregulated DC output voltage at node N1.

[0021] Input terminals 12 and 14 are integrated into a single commonconnector 17 such that different power cords adapted to receive inputpower from different sources are received by the common connector 17.For instance, DC power from an airplane or car power source are wired tocouple to input 12 and AC source is wired to couple to input 14. In aselected embodiment, the AC-to-DC converter 22 is adapted to generate aDC output voltage of between 15 VDC and 24 VDC in response to an ACinput voltage at terminal 12 ranging between 90 VAC and 265 VAC.Likewise, the DC-to-DC booster converter 24 is adapted to provide a DCoutput voltage which is substantially similar to that of converter 22,but which is generated in response to a DC input voltage supplied atinput terminal 14. Preferably, DC-to-DC booster converter 24 is adaptedto receive a voltage in the range of between 11 VDC and 16 VDC.Advantageously, AC-to-DC conversion, via AC-to-DC converter 22, allowsusers of the power converter 10 to power high-power mobile devices, suchas a laptop computer wherever AC input power is available, such as inthe home or office, for example. Conversely, the DC-to-DC boosterconverter 24 of the power converter 10 is capable of powering similarhigh-power devices by stepping up most low amplitude DC input signals,such as those found in automobile and/or airplane environments.

[0022] As shown, filter circuit 25 has its input tied to the respectiveoutputs of the converter 22 and 24. In a preferred embodiment, thefilter circuit is adapted to provide a filtered DC output voltage atsecond node N2, which, thereafter, feeds output terminal 16, at anoutput power of 75 watts, for example.

[0023] The single feedback circuit 26 is shown coupled to the output offilter circuit 25 at node N2. In a preferred embodiment, the feedback 26circuit, through a single feedback loop, regulates the voltage level ofthe filtered DC output voltages generated by both converters 22 and 24.Additionally, the feedback circuit 26 is adapted to receive a removableprogramming module that allows mobile device users to provide aselectable DC output voltage at output 16 via node N2. The programmingmodule comprises a key 15 comprising a resistor, wherein differentassociated values of the resistor establish different associated DCoutput voltages at output 16. By allowing users to selectively changethe voltage level of the filtered DC output voltage, the power converter10 may be adapted to power a variety of different mobile electronicdevices, having different associated power requirements. Moreover, thepower converter's 10 programming module may also be adapted to providethe additional function of output current limiting.

[0024] The DC-to-DC buck converter 28 has its input coupled at node N2,providing a second DC output voltage that is then fed to output terminal18, having an output power of 10 watts, for example. Preferably, buckconverter 28 discreetly steps down the filtered DC voltage and producesa second DC output voltage at a separate output terminal 18. In aselected embodiment, the buck converter 28 steps down the filtered DCoutput voltage to a range of about 3 VDC and 15 VDC. Advantageously,this second DC output voltage generated by converter 28 is independentof, and substantially lower than the DC output voltage at terminal 16.This allows users of the present invention to power not only ahigh-power peripheral, such as a laptop computer, but also, a second,low-power peripheral, such as a cell phone, PDA, and the like. Moreover,the present invention allows for these peripherals to be poweredsimultaneously by a single converter, regardless if the input voltage isAC or DC. The buck converter 28 is physically detachable from the mainhousing 13 as shown in FIG. 1B, allowing different buck circuitsproviding different output voltages to be selectively attached tohousing 13 and tap the DC output voltage from output terminal 18.

[0025] Referring now to FIG. 2 there is shown a schematic diagram of thepower converter circuit 20 of the dual input AC/DC power converter 10 asdepicted in FIG. 1 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention. As described herein in greater detail, the powerconverter circuit 20, in a preferred embodiment, comprises threeseparate converters: AC-to-DC power converter 22, DC/DC boost converter24, and DC-to-DC buck converter 28.

[0026] AC-to-DC Converter

[0027] The AC-to-DC power converter 22 includes a true off line switcherwhich is configured in a fly-back topology. Full-wave rectification ofan AC input signal, received at input terminal 12, occurs using afull-wave bridge rectifier BD1 and a filter capacitor C1, which createsa DC voltage bus from which the switcher operates. Inductor L1 offersadditional EMI filtering of the AC signal after the signal has beenrectified through the full-wave bridge. The AC-to-DC converter 22 alsoincludes a main controller IC1 configured as a current mode pulse-widthmodulator (PWM). Main controller IC1 is also configured to have asingle-ended output with totem pole driver transistors coupled thereto.The AC-to-DC power converter 22 has a main power switch Q1 which drivesthe main transformer T1. In a preferred embodiment, the transformer T1,Schottky diode D11, and filter capacitors C24 and C25 combine to providethe DC output voltage at node N1.

[0028] As noted earlier, filter circuit 25 allows for additionalfiltering of the DC output voltage derived from node N1. The filtercircuit 25 itself comprises inductor L3, capacitor C26 and transformerNF1. Advantageously, the filter circuit 25 produces a filtered DC outputvoltage at output 16 having less than 100 mv peak-to-peak noise andripple.

[0029] The feedback circuit 26, through a single feedback loop, iscapable of regulating the filtered DC output voltages provided by theconverters 22 and 24. The feedback circuit 26 is also adapted to becoupled to a removable programming module having a key 15, comprisingresistor R53. As such, the present invention allows users to selectivelyprogram the DC output voltage later received at output terminal 16. Thefeedback circuit 26 includes a photocoupler circuit comprising a pair ofphotocouplers PH1 and PH3 connected in series (i.e., stacked), eachbeing coupled to the outputs of operational amplifiers IC4-A and IC4-B.Advantageously, these photocouplers are arranged along the feedback loopof the feedback circuit 26 with photocoupler PH1 and PH3 coupledrespectively to converters 22 and 24. Through a single feedback loop,the feedback circuit 26 efficiently regulates the filtered DC outputvoltage provided at node N2. Moreover, by stacking the photo-couplers,the present invention also allows the power converter 10 to maintainproper input/output isolation between respective terminals 12 and 14 andoutput terminal 16.

[0030] Preferably, the output current limiting function of converter 22is accomplished via integrated circuit IC4A, resistors R33, R37, R38,and R39 and programming resistor R54.

[0031] Over voltage protection of AC-to-DC converter 22 is achievedusing photocoupler PH2 and zener diode ZD2. In a preferred embodiment,zener diode ZD2 is set at 25V such that when in avalanche mode it causesthe transistor side of photocoupler PH2 to bias transistor Q1 into theon state. When it is the on state, transistor Q3 pulls low pin 1 ofintegrated controller IC1 and pulls the operating duty cycle of theintegrated controller towards 0%. This takes the DC output voltage to 0volts. Also, when transistor Q1 is on, transistor Q2 is also forced onwhich then forces these two transistors become latched. If transistorsQ1 and Q2 are latched, input power must be recycled in order for thepower converter 10 to be turned on again.

[0032] DC-to-DC Converter

[0033] The DC-to-DC converter 24 is configured in a boost topology andutilizes the same kind of integrated controller, IC2, as used inconverter 22. In the DC-to-DC converter 24, transistor Q8 acts as themain power switch and diode D6 as the main rectifier. Preferably,inductor L2 is adapted to function as a power boost inductor, which iscomprised of a toroid core-type inductor. It should be understood thatthe cathode leads of diodes D11 and D8 are connected, forming an ORedconfiguration, requiring only one output filter. Advantageously, thiseliminates the board space needed for a second set of filter capacitors.

[0034] Like the AC-to-DC converter 22, the DC-to-DC converter 24 is alsodesigned to operate at a frequency of around 80 KHZ. For the AC-to-DCconverter 22, the operating frequency is set by resistor R13 andcapacitor C7. Likewise, the operating frequency of the DC-to-DCconverter 24 are set by resistor R28 and capacitor C28.

[0035] The DC-to-DC converter 24 includes an over-voltage protectioncircuit comprising zener diode ZD2, resistor R23, R24, R48, transistorQ415, and silicon-controlled rectifier SC1. Zener diode ZD2 sets theover-voltage protection point (OVP) which is preferably set at 25 VDC.Generally, there is no current flowing through resistor R48. If,however, when zener diode ZD2 begins to conduct current, the drop acrossR48 is significant enough to bias transistor Q6 on, pulling itscollector terminal high, and thereby turning silicon controlledrectifier SC1 on. When silicon control rectifier SC1 is on, it pulls pin1 of the integrated controller IC2 low. Thus, if pin 1 of integratedcontroller IC2 is low, the output drivers thereof are forced to operateat a duty cycle of 0%, thereby producing a DC output voltage of 0 voltsat pin 6. Advantageously, the silicon controlled rectifier SC1 functionsas a power latch circuit that requires that input power be recycled inorder to turn on the power converter 10 if a voltage above 25 VDC isdetected at node N1.

[0036] The temperature of the housing 13 of the power converter 10 ismonitored using a thermistor NTC3. If, for example, there is acorresponding increase in the temperature of the housing 13, it willresult in a decrease in the resistive value of thermistor NTC3, therebycausing transistor Q9 to turn on and pull low pin 1 of integratedcircuit IC2 of converter 24. Moreover, this causes the photo-coupler PH2to be biased enough to activate a latch circuit comprising transistorsQ1 and Q2 that will shutdown the power converter 22. In addition, thepower converter's 10 thermal protection feature is adapted to operateregardless of whether an AC or DC input voltage is being received attheir respective input terminals.

[0037]FIG. 3 shows a detailed schematic diagram of the DC-to-DC buckconverter 28 in accordance with the present invention. The buckconverter 28 has an integrated circuit controller IC1, similar toconverters 22 and 24, which is adapted to generate an on-time duty cycleto power transistor switch Q1. The operating frequency of controller IC1is set by capacitor C6, which is coupled between pin 4 of IC1 andground, and resistor R1, which is coupled between pins 4 and 8. In aselected embodiment, the diode D1 functions comprises a Schottky diodeand functions as “catch” diode. Inductor L1 is a output power inductorand couples the gate of power transistor Q1 to V_(out). Fuse F1 is showncoupled between V_(in) and the drain terminal of power transistor Q1,and advantageously provides current protection to buck-converter 28.

[0038] Furthermore, the input V_(in) of the buck converter 28 is coupledto the output of filter circuit 25 at node N2, wherein V_(in) receivesthe filtered DC output voltage therefrom. In a preferred embodiment, thebuck converter 28 provides a second DC output voltage at V_(out),coupled to output terminal 18. Advantageously, the buck convert 28discreetly steps down the filtered DC output voltage and provides asecond DC output voltage at output terminal 18 which is independent of,and substantially lower than the DC output voltage at output terminal16. Likewise, the DC output voltage of the buck converter 28 enablesusers of the present invention to power low-power peripherals, such as,cell phones, PDAs, and/or similar mobile devices. In a selectedembodiment, the buck convert 28 may also be adapted to provide a DCoutput voltage at output terminal 18 ranging between 3 VDC and 15 VDC,selectively determined as a function of the chosen value of resistor R1used in the particular buck converter 28, with a total power delivery of10 watts, for example. As previously mentioned, the buck converter 28may be housed in a separate, detachable program module that enablesusers to selectively program the DC output voltage at terminal 18 as afunction of different associated buck converter modules.

[0039] Referring now to FIG. 4, there is generally shown at 40 aperspective view of a peripheral power system (PPS) seen to include theAC/DC-to-programmable DC output converter 42 as shown and described inreference to FIGS. 1-3. In addition, PPS 40 is also seen to include aperipheral power hub (PPH) shown at 44 and having a plurality of DCvoltage outputs generally shown at 46. As will be described in moredetail shortly, in one preferred embodiment (FIG. 5) predetermined DCvoltages are provided at each output which may then be converted by abuck circuit 28 associated with the peripheral device 72 to be powered.In another preferred embodiment (FIG. 6) each of these outputs 46 isprogrammable as a function of a removable programming key, such as aselectively replaceable programming resister. Converter 42 provides apredetermined output DC voltage, which may be programmable, via a DCvoltage coupler 48 to a primary device, such as a notebook computer 50,requiring a higher operating voltage and consuming a large amount ofpower, such as 45 watts. DC voltage coupler 48 also provides tapping ofthis output DC voltage provided to the primary device 50, which voltageis tapped via a connector 52 and preferably includes a buck circuit 28.This buck circuit 28 steps down the DC voltage tapped at coupler 48 to alower predetermined voltage, such as 12 volts DC. However, a boostcircuit could also be used in place of buck circuit 28 if desired toprovide a predetermined higher voltage, if desired.

[0040] As will now be described in detail with regards to the preferredembodiments of the invention, illustrated in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the DCvoltage provided by the buck circuit 28 via the conductors of cable 54is coupled to PPH 44. In the embodiment shown at 60 in FIG. 5, the inputvoltage provided to input 62 is muxed to the plurality of output ports46. The separate buck circuits 28 associated with and selectivelycoupled to the associated remote mobile device 72 convert this voltageto the final output voltages V1-V4 as shown in FIG. 5, which meets allthe power needs of the associated mobile device 72. According to theembodiment shown at 70 in FIG. 6, the plurality of buck circuits 28 areintegral to the PPH 44, each buck circuit 28 having a selectivelyremovable programming key, shown as resistor R1, providing aprogrammable DC voltage to the respective output port 46 commensuratewith the requirements of the associated remote mobile 72 device. Outputports 46 may be configured as simple pin type connectors, USB typeconnectors, and other configurations as desired. Again, the buck circuit28 could be substituted with a boost circuit if desired to provide ahigher voltage.

[0041] Turning now to FIG. 5, there is shown the first embodiment of thepresent invention comprising the PPH 44 shown in FIG. 4. As previouslymentioned, the input DC voltage provided to the PPH 44 at input 62 iscoupled to each of the output ports 46 by a voltage mux 64. Thiscoupling of the input DC voltage to the multiple output ports 46 can beaccomplished in a number of ways, such as via a simple resistive dividenetwork, and may provide output-to-output isolation. In oneimplementation, the DC voltage provided at input 62 is directly providedto the output ports 46 for a subsequent down-stepping via the associatedbuck circuit 28. However, a lower voltage can be provided by the voltagemux 64 to each of the output ports 46 if desired. Voltage mux 64 is alsoseen to include an over voltage protection circuit generally shown at 66which limits the amount of power that can be provided to each outputport 46, such as 7 watts, to prevent overload of the PPH 44, and toprevent power hoarding at one output by its associated remote device 72to the determent of the other remote devices 72.

[0042] Visual indicators 68 are provided to visually indicate the statusof each output port 46. For instance, the LED 68 associated with each ofthe output 46 may be illuminated as green when power provided via outputport 46 is below a predetermined limit, such as 7 watts each. If,however, a remote device 72 associated with the particular buck circuit28 is attempting to draw more than the predetermined limit, the voltagemux 64 prevents providing power in excess of this predetermined limit,and also illuminates the associated LED as red indicating an attemptedover power condition. Thus, a user can visually ascertain whether or notpower being provided to the associated output port 46 is within anacceptable range as visually indicated by an associated green LED 68,or, that the associated remote device 72 is attempting to draw more thanthe predetermined limit. The voltage mux 64 also includes a main fuse 69preventing excessive power draw of the PPH 44 itself, which couldotherwise cause an overload condition to the power converter 42 or otherinput power source.

[0043] The advantages of the embodiment 60 shown in FIG. 5 include thata separate buck circuit 28 and the associated cord can be simply coupledto any of the output ports 46 and provide a programmable DC outputvoltage meeting ther needs of the associated remote device 72. A userhaving a buck circuit 28/cord for use with the particular remote device72 can be plugged into any of the available output ports 46 of the PPH44. The DC voltage is stepped down by buck circuit 28 external to thehousing of PPH 44. This solution is low cost and a simple design.

[0044] Turning now to FIG. 6, there is shown at 70 another preferredembodiment of the present invention whereby a plurality of buck circuits28 are provided within the PPH 44 to provide a programmable output DCvoltage to the respective output port 46. Each buck circuit 28, as shownin FIG. 3, has an associated programming resister R1 which may beselectively removable from the PPH 44 to selectively establish theoutput DC voltage provided to the associated output port 46. Thus, theDC output voltage at each output port 46 is selectively programmable,and a remote device 72 need to only utilize a standard two conductorcord to couple to output port 46, as shown. Namely, one conductorcouples the programmable output voltage V1, and the other conductorprovides the ground. Again, each buck circuit 28 could be substitutedwith a boost circuit if desired.

[0045] Advantages of this embodiment 70 include that the buck circuits28 are enclosed in the PPH 44, where each buck circuit 28 itself may beprogrammable using the associated programming resistor R1. In thisarrangement, care must be taken that the remote device 72 is coupled toan output port having a desirable output voltage. Thus, the keys provideindicia of the output voltage being provided. The voltage mux 64 simplyprovides the input voltage at input 62 to each of the buck circuits 28,which may step down (or step up) the voltage thereat. Voltage mux 64includes the overload protection circuit 66, the associated LED's 68,and the hub main fuse 69 as shown.

[0046] Both embodiments 60 and 70 provide a DC peripheral power hubadapted to power a plurality of unique remote devices 72 from a singleunit 44, such remote devices including a cell phone, PDA, MP3 player,etc. This peripheral power hub 44 may be an accessory to power converter42, or, a stand alone device receiving power. For instance, the inputcord 52 feeding PPH 44 may be directly coupled to an output of converter42, as shown in FIG. 4, tapped from the DC coupler 48 without any downstepping by a buck circuit 28, or directly coupled to a DC source, suchas via a cigarette lighter outlet, or other input source.

[0047] Though the invention has been described with respect to specificpreferred embodiments, many variations and modifications will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the presentapplication. It is therefore the intention that the appended claims beinterpreted as broadly as possible in view of the prior art to includeall such variations and modifications.

What is claimed is:
 1. A peripheral power hub, adapted to power aplurality of remote mobile devices, comprising: an input circuit adaptedto receive an input voltage; a plurality of output ports each receivinga voltage from said input circuit; a first voltage converter circuitcoupled to a first said output and providing a first predeterminedvoltage output; and a second voltage converter circuit coupled to asecond said output and providing a second predetermined voltage output.2. The peripheral power hub as specified in claim 1 wherein the inputvoltage is a DC input voltage, and said first predetermined voltageoutput is a DC voltage.
 3. The peripheral power hub as specified inclaim 2 wherein a first mobile device is coupled to the first voltageconverter circuit, the first predetermined voltage output providing thepower needs of the first mobile device.
 4. The peripheral power hub asspecified in claim 3 wherein a second mobile device is coupled to thesecond voltage converter circuit, the second predetermined voltageoutput providing the power needs of the second mobile device.
 5. Theperipheral power hub as specified in claim 4 wherein the first andsecond voltage converter are buck circuits.
 6. The peripheral power hubas specified in claim 3 wherein the first and second circuits are boostcircuits.
 7. The peripheral power hub as specified in claim 1 whereinthe first predetermined voltage output is different than the secondoutput voltage.
 8. The peripheral power hub as specified in claim 1wherein the first and second voltage converter circuits are fixedlycoupled to the input circuit.
 9. The peripheral power hub as specifiedin claim 1 wherein the first and second voltage converter circuits areremovably coupled to the input circuit.
 10. The peripheral power hub asspecified in claim 1 further comprising a tap adapted to tap a powersource and provide the input voltage to the input circuit.
 11. Theperipheral power hub as specified in claim 7 wherein each of the voltageconverter circuits have a programmable DC output established by anassociated selectively removable key.
 12. The peripheral power hub asspecified in claim 1 wherein the key comprises a resistor.
 13. Theperipheral power hub as specified in claim 1 further comprising aindicator providing a visual indication of an operational status of eachsaid output port.
 14. The peripheral power hub as specified in claim 1further comprising, in combination, a power converter providing theinput voltage to the input circuit.
 15. The peripheral power hub asspecified in claim 14 further comprising a tap tapping a primary outputof the power converter, and providing the input voltage to theperipheral power hub.
 16. In combination, a power converter providing afirst output voltage at a first output; a tap tapping the first outputvoltage and providing a second output voltage; a peripheral power hubcomprising an input circuit receiving said second output voltage, and aplurality of output ports each receiving a voltage from said inputcircuit; a first voltage converter circuit coupled to a first saidoutput and providing a first predetermined voltage output; and a secondvoltage converter circuit coupled to a second said output and providinga second predetermined voltage output.
 17. The peripheral power hub asspecified in claim 16 wherein the input voltage is a DC input voltage,and said first predetermined voltage output is a DC voltage.
 18. Theperipheral power hub as specified in claim 16 wherein the powerconverter is a dual input AC/DC power converter having a DC outputvoltage as said first output.
 19. The peripheral power hub as specifiedin claim 18 wherein the power converter has a programmable said firstoutput.
 20. The peripheral power hub as specified in claim 19 whereinthe power converter is programmable by a selectively removable key. 21.The peripheral power hub as specified in claim 16 wherein a first mobiledevice is coupled to the first buck circuit, the first predeterminedvoltage output provides the power needs of the first mobile device. 22.The peripheral power hub as specified in claim 21 wherein a secondmobile device is coupled to the second buck circuit, the secondpredetermined voltage output providing the power needs of the secondmobile device.
 23. The peripheral power hub as specified in claim 22wherein the first predetermined output voltage is different than thesecond predetermined output.
 24. The peripheral power hub as specifiedin claim 16 wherein the first and second buck circuits are fixedlycoupled to the input circuit.
 25. The peripheral power hub as specifiedin claim 16 wherein the first and second buck circuits are removablecoupled to the input circuit.
 26. The peripheral power hub as specifiedin claim 24 wherein each of the buck circuits have a programmable DCoutput established by a selectively removable key.
 27. The peripheralpower hub as specified in claim 16 wherein the key comprises a resistor.